Cold comfort at the Magh Mela: social identity processes and physical hardship

Kavita Pandey, Clifford Stevenson (Lead / Corresponding author), Shail Shankar, Nicholas P Hopkins, Stephen D Reicher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Humans inhabit environments that are both social and physical, and in this article we investigate if and how social identity processes shape the experience and negotiation of physically demanding environmental conditions. Specifically, we consider how severe cold can be interpreted and experienced in relation to group members' social identity. Our data comprise ethnographic observation and semi-structured interviews with pilgrims attending a month-long winter Hindu religious festival that is characterized by near-freezing conditions. The analysis explores (1) how pilgrims appraised the cold and how these appraisals were shaped by their identity as pilgrims; (2) how shared identity with other pilgrims led to forms of mutual support that made it easier to cope with the cold. Our findings therefore extend theorizing on social identity processes to highlight their relevance to physical as well as social conditions.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)675-690
Number of pages16
JournalBritish Journal of Social Psychology
Volume53
Issue number4
Early online date22 Nov 2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Dec 2014

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